The Foodie Files

In honor of Cinco de Mayo I listened to salsa music all day, did a good bit of dancing around the kitchen, threw a party and ate chicken tacos.  Lots and lots of chicken tacos.  I briefly considered not posting the recipe for said tacos because it's SO easy it's almost ridiculous.  Then I realized- what am I, crazy?!  Why wouldn't I share a recipe that's this delicious and impossible to mess up?!  If you can get your hands on a slow cooker and have 8 hours to spare, then prepare to coast through this recipe like a champ.  The portions below will serve 10-12.

Ingredients:

8 chicken breasts

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

1 packet taco seasoning

Place chicken in a slow cooker, then add taco seasoning and chicken broth.  Cook on low for 7-8 hours.

About an hour before you're ready to serve, take two forks and shred the chicken.  Aaaaand...that's pretty much it.

I served the chicken alongside a variety of options...flour, corn and hard shell tortillas, cheese, sour cream, corn salsa, queso, lettuce, guacamole, and the list goes on.  I had the best intentions of taking lots of pictures of our fiesta...but then I started eating and the idea escaped me.  Further proof that these tacos are to die for good, I suppose.  Hope your Cinco de Mayo was a blast!  Buenos Noches!  

¡Ay, caramba!

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!  While I may not be Mexican, I'll gladly use today as an excuse to celebrate Spanish culture.  I've got a few folks coming over tonight, so I'll be sure to post pictures as the evening unfolds.  For now, check out the bright, happy round-up I put together- it features Mexican textures and colors galore!  Very fun!

Photo Credits (L to R): Puppies and Flowers, Aida Coronado, 

The Tile Store, Painted Paper, Freckled Wonder, 

Flights of Fancy, Mexpro

Mirror, Mirror

I like to think of myself as in the South but not of the South.  While this allows me to soak up the wonderful things Tennessee has to offer (politeness, patriotism, etc), it strictly prohibits me from joining in on it's nonsense (cowboy hats, casseroles, etc).  I think I've got a pretty good balance going.  So while Western wear will never be my thing (please Lord, let this always hold true), I do enjoy experimenting with veeeeery slight elements of it.  You know...a plaid shirt here...a fringed scarf there...nothing dangerous.  This outfit, for example, has a bit of a cowgirl vibe to it in terms of it's color palate.  But it works!  And it won't make me loose sleep for fear of turning into a country bumpkin.  Which is good news, ya'll (<--hehe).  Good news, indeed.

1. Denim Shirt Dress, Adam $260  2. Vita Fede Dez Ring, Shop Rumor $215  3. Oversized Sunglasses, H&M  4. Wooden Bangle, Shop Rumor $17  5. Caryl Sandal, Lucky Brand $59  6. Benecio Purse, Monserat De Lucca $395

Met Costume Institute Gala

After pouring over pictures of last night's Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala (AKA the Superbowl of high-fashion outings), I feel pretty confident about the following number crunch:

-The probability that I'll wear red-lipstick today has increased by 50%

-My habit of Googling 'Galas in Tennessee' will increase by a minimum of 150% and

-I can virtually guarantee I'll spend some portion of my day trying on gowns in my closet (yes, gowns with an s.  It's ridiculous, I know).

I just love the Met...and costumes....and Galas...so, so much.  I do a little happy jig in my seat just talking about it.  Here are a few ladies that caught my eye in a good way (unlike a few others who will remain nameless *cough* Fergie & Beyonce *cough*)...what do you think?

Gisele Bundchen in Alexander McQueen

photo credit: Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Diane Kruger in Jason Wu 

photo credit: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

Ginnifer Goodwin in Topshop

photo credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/FilmMagic

Taylor Swift in J. Mendel

photo credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/FilmMagic

Ashley Greene in Donna Karen

photo credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/FilmMagic

Get It Together: Organic Office

This home office has quite a bit going for it.  Each piece is darn cool in it's own right, but- when combined- the natural textures and organic feel work together to make something awesome.  I'm having a really difficult time deciding on a favorite piece...I guess I'll just have to take 'em all! :)

1. Douglas Fir Trimmings Mirror, VivaTerra $795  2. Set of 3 Banana Bark Boxes, Crate&Barrel $29.95  3. Andrew Berg Lamp, General Store $200  4. Blue Agate Bookends, Higher Heart £23.99  5. Twig Pencils, Site Design NYC $5.50  6. Correspondence Desk, Anthropologie $1,298  7.  Bayou Plumage Rug, Anthropologie $498

Birds of a Feather

I know most people have beef with Mondays- I admit, they're not my favorite- but isn't it awfully exciting to have a fresh start?  For whatever reason, I'm thankful and refreshed by that thought today.  It's a new week, ladies and gents.  Let's make it count!  I've got a few things I'm looking forward to checking off my to-do list over the next few days...it's gonna be an extra productive week, I can feel it.  And just to make it interesting, I'll let you in on a little "secret".  Lean closer.  So, if I do manage to get everything done by Friday, I'm treating myself to the pair of light colored earrings below.  It will be my gift to me and I'm quite excited.  So wish me luck!  And check out the roundup below of like-minded boho-feather pieces!

1. Feather Embellished Dress, Otte $295  2. Feather Drop Earrings, Urban Outfitters $24  3. Peacock Plume Sandals, Anthropologie $118  4. Modern Quill Pens, Jayson Home & Garden $28-$32  5. Rose Stone Feather Necklace, Fred Flare $10  6. Serefina Chain Feather Earring, Urban Outfitters $48  7.  Feather Snow Pillow, Jayson Home & Garden $325

Design Musings